There is a common misconception in journalism, one that I have had a problem with for as long as I have known of it. It is, to me, a very Western ideology, the belief that journalists in all walks of life should be passive observers simply relaying 'truth'. It is something that I would see changed.
Perhaps there was a time when this could have been the case. Perhaps there are still branches of journalism where passive reporting should be the go to method though I am unable (or maybe unwilling) to think of one such scenario. Whatever the case maybe, I think it is fair to say that front-line journalism really ought to be an exception to the rule. What we ought to realise as journalists and as citizens is that we are seeking the impossible. These aren't robots covering the stories for our pleasure and our viewing. These are people; they feel, they bleed, they die. And unfortunately as one of the reporters featured in the documentary put it, the only time they are noticed is in death. When reporters die, are kidnapped or injured in war zones they become an event all of their own. That in itself is interference. You cannot stick living, breathing people in the middle of a war and then say 'don't interfere'. What in heavens name do you think their very presence is? If you want a science experiment get lab rats. These are human lives.
To watch this documentary without feeling some kind of emotion is a challenge and I dare say an impossible one. It's easy enough to hop on Reporters Without Borders on your laptop and chant statistics about the death of journalists but this is real. Emotive and thought provoking as it was, I would highly recommend it for those who have the opportunity. Although it's focus is mainly in the Arab world (Northern Africa included), this is a global story.
For more information on the documentary visit the Dubai International Film Festival webpage or watch the Trailer on YouTube
Perhaps there was a time when this could have been the case. Perhaps there are still branches of journalism where passive reporting should be the go to method though I am unable (or maybe unwilling) to think of one such scenario. Whatever the case maybe, I think it is fair to say that front-line journalism really ought to be an exception to the rule. What we ought to realise as journalists and as citizens is that we are seeking the impossible. These aren't robots covering the stories for our pleasure and our viewing. These are people; they feel, they bleed, they die. And unfortunately as one of the reporters featured in the documentary put it, the only time they are noticed is in death. When reporters die, are kidnapped or injured in war zones they become an event all of their own. That in itself is interference. You cannot stick living, breathing people in the middle of a war and then say 'don't interfere'. What in heavens name do you think their very presence is? If you want a science experiment get lab rats. These are human lives.
To watch this documentary without feeling some kind of emotion is a challenge and I dare say an impossible one. It's easy enough to hop on Reporters Without Borders on your laptop and chant statistics about the death of journalists but this is real. Emotive and thought provoking as it was, I would highly recommend it for those who have the opportunity. Although it's focus is mainly in the Arab world (Northern Africa included), this is a global story.
For more information on the documentary visit the Dubai International Film Festival webpage or watch the Trailer on YouTube
Interesting thoughts. Although people will argue that "it's part of the job you signed up for, so deal with it", obviously real life is very different from a list of statistics of whatever. We read the news because we want to know a fair judgement of what's going on outside our worlds, but the people reporting will have difficulty when they're thrust directly in the midst of chaos; it's hard to see the "bigger picture", for lack of a better description. As with most things in life, it'd be better for everyone to remain non-judgemental and have an open mind rather than making assumptions... Thanks for sharing anyways. You should do a follow up post :) x
ReplyDeleteI had a similar 'complaint' from a friend who read this last night. I told him that although unbiased reporting is ideal, it is naive to assume that we will be getting that from front-line journalists and inhumane to expect it all things considered. However I see where you are coming from. I will consider a follow up if I have more to say lol
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